Masafumi Yamaguchi (山口正文), Japanese (1941-2018)

A Yashichida Oribe Cup (弥七田織部 カップ)

Showa Era (1926-1989) 

About the work

A striking example of Yashichida Oribe ware, this cup by Masafumi Yamaguchi features a dynamic, faceted form that narrows at the waist and expands toward a gently flared rim. The surface is richly decorated with bold geometric patterns in iron and slip, contrasted by deep black glazing along the lower body.

The upper section is enlivened by vivid Oribe green glaze, which flows organically over the rim in natural drips, creating a sense of movement and spontaneity. The interplay between the sharp, rhythmic line work and the fluid glaze exemplifies the expressive aesthetic of Oribe ceramics.

The base reveals a neatly finished foot with the artist’s mark, grounding the piece with a sense of balance and craftsmanship.

Dimensions

10.8cm(h) x 7.5cm(w)

Footnote

Masafumi Yamaguchi (1941 - 2018) was a Japanese ceramic artist from Seto and the fifth-generation head of Nishiyama Kiln in Nishikamamachi, Seto City. He received the Mayor’s Award for Japanese painting at the Seto City Exhibition and later exhibited widely as a ceramic artist. His works were accepted into major exhibitions including the Seto City Exhibition, the Contemporary Japanese Ceramics Exhibition, the Asahi Ceramic Exhibition, and the Kōfūkai Exhibition. The Nishiyama Kiln lineage continues today under the sixth-generation successor, Makoto Yamaguchi.